Skip to main content
The BMJ logoLink to The BMJ
. 1997 Apr 5;314(7086):1037–1040. doi: 10.1136/bmj.314.7086.1037

Health and social cohesion: why care about income inequality?

I Kawachi 1, B P Kennedy 1
PMCID: PMC2126438  PMID: 9112854

Abstract

Throughout the world, wealth and income are becoming more concentrated. Growing evidence suggests that the distribution of income-in addition to the absolute standard of living enjoyed by the poor-is a key determinant of population health. A large gap between rich people and poor people leads to higher mortality through the breakdown of social cohesion. The recent surge in income inequality in many countries has been accompanied by a marked increase in the residential concentration of poverty and affluence. Residential segregation diminishes the opportunities for social cohesion. Income inequality has spillover effects on society at large, including increased rates of crime and violence, impeded productivity and economic growth, and the impaired functioning of representative democracy. The extent of inequality in society is often a consequence of explicit policies and public choice. Reducing income inequality offers the prospect of greater social cohesiveness and better population health.

Full Text

The Full Text of this article is available as a PDF (325.8 KB).


Articles from BMJ : British Medical Journal are provided here courtesy of BMJ Publishing Group

RESOURCES